Blonde.

Golden and gorgeous. Slightly damp from a recent Dunk Tank ousting. His hair almost shimmered in the waning sunlight, a sight rivaled only by the journalist's characteristic gleaming smile.

He was here by the corralled Pokémon for a simple reason: sobering up. One too many frozen margaritas had taken their toll and now Barnaby needed a little breather before heading back to the popup bars where friends like Elisabeth Fiorelli and Martín del Mar awaited. He was still rather tipsy though, as evidenced by the pink tint to his cheeks - but that could be easily mistaken for a sunburn, right?

Barnaby's adorable STUFFUL was an admirable distraction in this endeavor. The little one was positively ecstatic to be out and about, and on a beach no less! Sand was a foreign concept to her tiny paws, the shifting grains a miracle underfoot. So, she was digging up a storm, of course!

A name on the wind caught Barnaby's attention, goading his gaze away from his STUFFUL. It was familiar, but just barely. In fact, he'd probably more easily recognize the man's voice if he was saying it through a mic rather than calling across a crowd.

"Callan!" It took barely a second to connect a face to a name. Callan Young was extremely popular nowadays, after all, as were the other members of TERAVOLT; headliners for Splashfest, even. How could Barnaby not recognize him when posters with his likeness were plastered everywhere?

He waved the guitarist over with an enthusiasm only slightly influenced by the alcohol in his system. "Good to see you!"

Callan Young
mission: BOND BRIDGE

☉

"A little of both, honestly." He chuckled as the words left his lips, sounding bright and unrestrained.

"I just needed a quick breather before heading back." Barnaby glanced to the side, where he could see the central festival area and the throngs of guests enjoying their evening. From this vantage point the main stage was in clear view.

"How about you? One last walk before the big show?"

As the two men talked, Barnaby's STUFFUL appeared to run out of her seemingly infinite energy and ceased her digging. Instead, she noticed the TYPHLOSION nearby and waddled up to him, her beady eyes unblinkingly trained on the Fire-type Pokémon. She watched him for a few seconds, as if considering her next action, before sticking a rounded limb out and poking Callan's TYPHLOSION softly on the flank.

Callan Young
mission: BOND BRIDGE

☉

At first, Barnaby's STUFFUL was very much the withholding observer, not willing to react positively or negatively to the attention. She neither stiffened nor leaned into Ardbert's touch, yet continued to maintain eye contact with the TYPHLOSION. Eventually though, after some predetermined time that only made sense to her, the STUFFUL began to loosen up and purr in satisfaction. She was an odd one, but her cute looks made up for her aloof personality.

"Brooding, hm...?" Barnaby almost asked what motivated Callan Young to do so, but figured the answer was rather obvious. It could be seen off in the distant ocean, in fact, imprisoning all of Hoenn. Or, perhaps the impending meteoroid weighed heavy on the guitarist's mind. Whatever the case, there was much to brood over lately.

"Sure, let's head back together." He agreed, springing up from the sand and wiping any stray sediment from his shorts. When all looked good, he whistled for his Pokémon to follow as they walked together.

"Did you now?" This reveal brought a shining smile to Barnaby's lips. "I'm glad you found it interesting. I quite liked that interview, too." FERNANDO SILPH had delved into several topics that Barnaby's viewers found intriguing, if not endearing. It made for a good show.

Before answering Callan's follow-up question, Barnaby mused over his response. He wondered how honest he should be, weighed whether being politically correct was worth it in such a lowkey encounter.

In the end, the alcohol decided for him.

"Honestly? I'm quite nosy, Callan." Barnaby's smile had morphed into a teasing grin, showing that his words were at least partially true.

"I enjoy the celebrity, too. Perhaps you can commiserate with that?" Callan Young's swift rise to fame was well-documented. But was it something that he truly wanted?

Callan Young
mission: BOND BRIDGE

☉

"Mmm, an important distinction." Of which Barnaby was surprised Callan Young even proposed. In fact, as he continued to talk, the journalist was both impressed by Callan's introspection and disappointed in himself for the preconceived notions he'd had of the guitarist. He had deceived himself.

"I do agree." Barnaby's cobalt eyes held Callan's crimson gaze and, unbeknownst to the other man, there was a new glint of respect present there.

Just as he was about to elaborate on his thoughts, Barnaby was abruptly cut off by the nearby squeals of a gaggle of young women.

"Oh my GOSH, look, Ava! It's Callan fucking Young!" Their exasperations were so loud they carried across the din of the surrounding festival. Remarks such as he's so damn fine and I'd climb him like a tree were clearly audible. As was the piercing scream that came next...

"CALLAAAAAN!" A barrier separated the women from where the two men walked, but that didn't stop them from leaning over and waving their arms in an attempt to get the TERAVOLT guitarist's attention.

Barnaby lowered his sunglasses to the brim of his nose and gave a low whistle. "You weren't kidding about the lack of privacy."

Callan Young
mission: BOND BRIDGE

☉

Ah. He knew that look all too well. The panicked eyes, the hastened pace. Barnaby extended his own stride to keep up, unfazed by the interruption from the scarecrow-like women (they really knew how to frighten people off!). To ease some of the tension, however, he lightly quipped, "Come now, no need for humility. You're at minimum the flavor of the year, Callan."

Their conversation turned serious yet again and Barnaby found himself engrossed in a mini music history lesson. Not something he had expected to hear on their short jaunt to the bar, but not altogether unpleasant. He'd heard of Eddie Van Halen, of course - even if Barnaby himself wasn't a rock 'n' roll enthusiast, there was just a level of fame there that transcended genres.

"Haha, no worries. You can go on tirades with me anytime." By the time Callan had finished, they'd already made it to Barnaby's destination.

"I had a pleasant time talking with you, Callan. Feel free to reach out if you ever want to get together again." From his pocket Barnaby withdrew one of his business cards and offered it to the TERAVOLT guitarist.

"Good luck tonight, by the way! I look forward to your performance." With that said, Barnaby sent Callan Young off with a friendly wave before returning to the bar where his friends awaited.

Callan Young
mission: BOND BRIDGE

☉